Lincoln County Criminal Defense Lawyers
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JMH Law Firm, LLC takes criminal defense and traffic cases in Lincoln County, including Troy, Moscow Mills, Winfield and Elsberry. Clients in Lincoln County work with our St. Charles office.
The Lincoln County Justice Center in Troy
Lincoln County is part of Missouri's 45th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Pike County. Lincoln County's circuit court sits at the Lincoln County Justice Center, 45 Business Park Drive, Troy, MO 63379. The circuit clerk's office is in the same building (main line 636-528-0326). Pike County's cases are heard at its own courthouse in Bowling Green. The Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney's office is separate, at 250 W. College Street in Troy.
You can look up any public case on Missouri Case.net.
After an arrest in Lincoln County
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail in Troy. A few things families should know, from the sheriff's jail division:
- Bond can be posted 24/7. Cashier's checks are accepted. For a surety bond, you work with a bondsman.
- There are no face-to-face visits. Lobby visitation runs weekday evenings and weekend daytime hours. Mail must be postcards, except legal mail.
- Questions go to the jail at 636-462-6507.
If police arrest someone without a warrant, Missouri law generally requires that the person be charged and held on a warrant within 24 hours or released. The person must also be allowed to talk with a lawyer at any reasonable time (RSMo 544.170).
How a criminal case moves in the 45th Circuit
- First appearance before an associate circuit judge, where bond and the right to a lawyer are addressed.
- Preliminary hearing for a felony. Before the prosecutor can file the formal felony charge, you have the right to a preliminary hearing before an associate circuit judge in the county where the offense happened (RSMo 544.250). The judge decides whether there's enough evidence to go forward. You can waive it.
- Arraignment before a circuit judge, where you enter a plea to the felony charge.
- Discovery and motions. Your lawyer gets the evidence and can challenge how it was gathered.
- A plea or a trial, then sentencing.
Misdemeanors skip the preliminary hearing and are usually resolved before an associate circuit judge. Our felony defense and misdemeanor defense pages explain the charges. If you're on probation and accused of a violation, see our probation violation page.
Missouri law lets each circuit set up treatment courts for adults, DWI cases, families and veterans, among others. Completing one can lead to charges or a penalty being dismissed, reduced or modified (RSMo 478.001). Ask your lawyer whether a program in the 45th Circuit could fit your case.
Tickets on U.S. 61 and DWI arrests
U.S. 61 runs through Lincoln County, and MoDOT has an interchange project underway at Routes K and V. A Highway Patrol ticket on U.S. 61 is a state charge, which normally goes to the circuit court at the Justice Center rather than a city court.
A DWI arrest starts two separate cases:
- The criminal charge in circuit court.
- A license suspension or revocation from the Department of Revenue. In general, that applies when a driver is arrested with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more (RSMo 302.505). You have 15 days from receiving the notice to request a hearing (RSMo 302.530).
See our pages on DWI defense and traffic tickets.
Municipal courts and the circuit court
City ordinance cases are heard in municipal divisions of the circuit court (RSMo 479.010). In Lincoln County, though, where a city ticket ends up varies by city:
- Winfield. The city says that as of August 2021, all Winfield court cases were transferred to the Lincoln County Circuit Court. Winfield ticket questions go to the Justice Center in Troy.
- Moscow Mills. The Moscow Mills Municipal Court is a division of the 45th Circuit. It hears traffic and other ordinance cases filed by Moscow Mills police. Court meets once a month in the basement of Friedens United Church of Christ, 980 Main Street. Everyone entering is subject to search. If your violation isn't on the fine schedule, you must appear.
The court name and address on your ticket tell you where to go.
Towns we serve in Lincoln County
We take cases from across the county, including Troy, Moscow Mills, Winfield, Elsberry, Foley and Truxton.
Talk to a lawyer about your Lincoln County case
If you've been charged or ticketed in Lincoln County, call JMH Law Firm at 314-827-6222 or send us a message. Our St. Charles office is at 223 N. Main Street, Suite 1, St. Charles, MO 63301. See all the areas we serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Lincoln County courthouse?
Lincoln County's circuit court sits at the Lincoln County Justice Center, 45 Business Park Drive, Troy, MO 63379. The circuit clerk's office is there too. The 45th Circuit also covers Pike County, whose courthouse is in Bowling Green.
I got a ticket from Winfield police. Is there a Winfield municipal court?
Not anymore. The City of Winfield says that as of August 2021, all Winfield court cases were transferred to the Lincoln County Circuit Court. Questions about a Winfield ticket go to the circuit court at the Justice Center in Troy.
How do I bond someone out of the Lincoln County jail?
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office says bonding is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and cashier's checks are accepted. For a surety bond, you'd work with a bondsman. You can call the jail at 636-462-6507 with questions.
Where is Moscow Mills municipal court held?
The Moscow Mills Municipal Court, a division of the 45th Circuit, meets once a month in the basement of Friedens United Church of Christ, 980 Main Street. Its office is at 995 Main Street. If your violation isn't on the court's fine schedule, you must appear.
